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[Saab_c900] saab ball joint tool - alternatives?

Hi everyone,

The upper balljoints for both front wheels on my 1985 900i are shot (broken boots, etc.) and the only part where I'm getting stuck is getting the ball joint shaft out of the swivel member. The Bentley manual says not to use a generic ball joint separator fork.

There is a Saab special tool (# 89 95 409 shown but is a substitute tool available from anywhere else? Short of being able to get a Saab tool or a suitable alternative, what other methods can be used to get the balljoints out of the swivel member?

I've emailed the people at Samstag Sales

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who sell a lot of specialised automotive tools to ask if they know of a good substitute to the Saab tool. I'll forward whatever info I receive back unless the people from Samstag reply directly to this posting.

Regards,

Craig.

Reply to
Craig's Saab C900 Site
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A traditional Ball-joint remover doesn't work?

SG

Reply to
Saab Guy

I think the issue is with space. With the hub in place you cannot get the jaw of the fork in place to push up the ball joint. ... or something like that.

Charles

Reply to
Charles C.

Hi,

I did balljoints recently on a 1992 900 (all 4), and used a regular fork with a hammer. I read the warning in Bentley, but ignored it. It worked perfectly fine. I used whatever balljoint fork they sell at Advance Auto Parts.

Good luck,

John

Reply to
John B

John,

I remember doing that myself on my 1987 900, just a generic fork. No problem at all

SG

Reply to
Saab Guy

It does (as other people's followups reveal) but I was going off the advice in the Bentley manual which said not to use a generic ball joint seperator fork.

Now that a few people have said it's ok to use one, and nobody (up to now) has indicated they've broken a swivel member using one, I'm getting one delivered from a local mail-order tool supplier and will give it a go early next week.

Craig.

Reply to
Craig's Saab C900 Site

It depends if it means the wedge type that you hit with a hammer or one that uses a screw to force the joint apart.

The later would use a lot less damaging force.

Reply to
sweller

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